I’m sharing my story today.

At 16, my health story took a sharp turn. I was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), experienced ruptured ovarian cysts, and battled severe period symptoms. Birth control became the solution to manage my symptoms, providing temporary relief but masking the underlying hormonal imbalances.

For 15 years, my periods were light, regular, and painless, but my body was telling a different story. Anxiety, joint pain, brain fog, chronic fatigue, and painful flares became part of my daily reality. By 2020, my health hit rock bottom. Without any changes to my routine, I gained 15 pounds in just a few months, and no amount of medical testing provided answers.

Doctors suggested anxiety medication and even implied it was all in my head. But deep down, I knew something wasn’t right.

Desperate for answers, I sought out a functional medicine team. Through comprehensive testing—including a saliva hormone panel and gut health analysis—I finally discovered the root causes.

The Findings:

• Gut Health: Severe inflammation, bacterial overgrowth, and signs of leaky gut.
• Hormones:
  • Extremely low cortisol.
  • DHEA levels dropping too quickly for my age.
  • Undetectable progesterone.
  • High estrogen (E1), indicating estrogen dominance.

These results explained so much—my weight gain, joint pain, headaches, anxiety, and debilitating fatigue.

The Plan:
I committed to an aggressive 3-month protocol to heal my body:

1. Exercise: I replaced high-intensity workouts with strength training and walks.
2. Nutrition: I increased my protein intake to support muscle recovery and hormone balance.
3. Sleep: I prioritized quality sleep with better hygiene habits.
4. Stress Management: I leaned into breathwork and yoga.
5. Hormone Support: Bioidentical estradiol, progesterone, and DHEA helped regulate my levels.
6. Supplements:
   • DIM to remove excess estrogen.
   • Liver support for detoxification.
   • Adaptogens to strengthen adrenal function.

The Results:
At 8 weeks, my energy skyrocketed, brain fog lifted, and chronic pain disappeared. For the first time in months, I had a regular period. I lost 8 pounds, but more importantly, I felt like myself again.

At 12 weeks, I hit a major milestone: my longest flare-free period in years. By the end of the protocol, I had lost 15 pounds, reduced body fat by 6%, and sustained those results with a maintenance phase.

Today, I’m no longer reliant on supplements aside from protein powder, collagen, and creatine to support my workouts and recovery. My results are sustainable with a balanced diet, strength training 3-4 times per week, regular walking, and effective stress management.

What I’ve Learned:
This was not a quick fix. Healing takes time, consistency, and a willingness to prioritize yourself. That’s why I ask anyone on this journey to commit fully. It can take 6-18 months to find balance depending on your case, but the payoff is life-changing.

Don’t let life’s chaos push your health to the back burner. The longer you wait, the harder it gets.

I’m here to share, answer questions, and guide you. Let’s break the cycle of misdiagnosis and frustration. You deserve answers. Drop your questions below—I’m here to help!